Penn State Hockey: David Glen records the first hat trick in program history as Penn State downs Alabama Huntsville 4-0

STATE COLLEGE-- Forward David Glen recorded the first hat trick in Penn State Division-I history, and Max Gardiner added a power play goal to help Penn State cruise to a 4-0 victory over fellow Independent program Alabama Huntsville Friday night at Greenberg Ice Pavilion.

Penn State Nittany Lions vs Ohio Bobcats at Giant Center Friday, Feb 1, 2013. Joseph Lordo looks for an opening during the first period against the Bobcats. Penn State beat Ohio University 6-1.
Christine Baker | cbaker@pennlive.com

"It's exciting, obviously, and a really great honor," Glen said of his three goal evening.

"All the credit to my teammates. They made great plays all night, and were able to set me up. I was lucky enough to get a few in."

The freshman opened the scoring with the de-facto game winner 1:41 into the second period after a scoreless opening stanza, dropping a wrist shot behind Alabama Huntsville netminder John Griggs (39 saves), a goal that was followed nearly 14 minutes later by a Mark Yanis' rip from the point that was redirected by a screening Max Gardiner while Penn State (11-13) was on a man-advantage. It marked the second goal of the night for head coach Guy Gadowsky's club, but also its only power play goal of the evening in a 1-for-6 effort with the man advantage.

"It's fitting that he did get one. He worked really hard to get open and missed a chance in the first, so it was very fitting that he got the power play goal," Gadowsky said of Gardiner's first goal since Oct. 27.

"He's a big body, and takes that job very seriously. He does a lot of things we've been working on, and I think it was fitting that he got one. It was good to see."

Glen then put on a dazzling display with his final two goals, putting Penn State ahead 3-0 mid-way through the third period with a nifty rip from the left circle that beat Griggs short-side over his right shoulder. Goal number three came when Glenn grabbed a rebound off the Charger goalies' pad, and tucked it into a wide-open half net with just over five minutes to play in the third period.

"Man, he's a fun guy to watch, isn't he? He just-- he figures out, you know, there are some guys that score typical goals, but I don't know what a typical David Glen goal is," Gadowsky said.

"He knocks puck out of the air, he scores highlight reel goals, he scores dirty goals. He is a hockey player, and I think everybody likes it when players like him get hat tricks, because he's not just a perimeter shooter. He plays dirty, he wins face-offs, and leads the team in hits. He does so many little things; he's a hockey player. He's fun to watch."

Matthew Skoff was equally impressive in net at the other end of the ice for the Nittany Lions, turning away 23 Charger shots. But his most impressive save came in the second period, where he stopped cold a charging Doug Reid after the Alabama Huntsville center slipped behind the Nittany Lion back line coming out of the penalty box for a breakaway.

"As a goalie, you just have to wait and see what's given to you," Skoff said.

"You can't think about how many shots you're getting, or less shots you're getting. You have to be mentally tough and know your team is going to score goals for you, regardless of how many shots you're getting."

Penn State will again host Alabama Huntsville Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. at Greenberg Ice Pavilion, a game that is already sold out. But for Chargers head coach Kurt Kleinendorst, it's another opportunity for his young team to get better, a team that is 3-18-1 and playing back to back games for the first time in over a month, after playing for the first time in five weeks Friday night.

"I thought it was a good game. It was my first chance being here to watch Penn State, and they're a good team that is creative, and works hard," Kleinendorst said.

"It's tough to have that much time off and play sharp, and it's unfortunate, because we were getting into a little bit of a grove, and then we had about a five week break. It's not easy, and to be honest with you, I'm not surprised. I thought it was going to be a little bit rough for us because of the lay-off, so I think we'll be a little bit better tomorrow, and I'll be a little bit disappointed if we're not."

Face-offs:

Penn State out shot UAH 43-23, and also owned a 42-37 advantage in the face-off circle.

Glenn was named the games' first star, while Skoff took home the second star, and forward Kenny Brooks the third.

Brooks recorded a game-high two assists, while Glen took a game-high six shots.

Penn State held UAH to just four shots on four power plays, while also holding the Charges to a game-low seven third period shots.